Steve Kerr is back in the Bay Area, but his full coaching staff isn’t. Just days after the Golden State Warriors locked up the 60-year-old head coach for two more seasons, the bench around him has been gutted.
ESPN broke the news on Thursday, and within minutes, the NBA world was debating what Golden State’s offseason plan should look like.
NBA World Reacts to Terry Stotts and Jerry Stackhouse Exiting Warriors
On Saturday, Kerr signed a two-year contract with Golden State to remain the highest-paid coach in the NBA. However, according to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, his top two assistants, Terry Stotts and Jerry Stackhouse, are leaving the franchise.
Both desired head coaching positions, and their contracts were up. The timing of the change is the main cause of concern, as the Warriors community has been questioning what the organization’s next course of action will be after an injury-plagued 37-45 season.
Warriors Lead framed it as the start of a bigger reset, writing, “The Warriors have decided to part ways with coaches Jerry Stackhouse and Terry Stotts. Willie Green and Andre Iguodala could be viable replacements, per @anthonyVslater. THE FIRST STEPS IN RETOOLING THE ROSTER.”
🚨BREAKING🚨
The Warriors have decided to part ways with coaches Jerry Stackhouse and Terry Stotts.
Willie Green and Andre Iguodala could be viable replacements, per @anthonyVslater
THE FIRST STEPS IN RETOOLING THE ROSTER 🔒 pic.twitter.com/O50qf56hgP
— Warriors Lead (@DubsLead) May 15, 2026
In contrast, another X user wasn’t trying to dress it up, claiming that the “Warriors are cooked.”
Warriors are cooked
— Kuwi (@_DrizzzyJ) May 15, 2026
YouTuber Jim Park took his criticism a step further, asserting that “Kerr should have walked, and Terry Stotts should have taken over, hiring Tom Thibodeau as his defensive coach.” Park added that the “Warriors could have had a fresh start, but they’re pretty much F’d now.”
Kerr should have walked and Terry Stotts should have taken over, hiring Tom Thibodeau as his defensive coach. Warriors could have had a fresh start, but they’re pretty much F’d now. https://t.co/OAZPVwJGX3
— Jim Park🏀🌌 (@Sheridanblog) May 15, 2026
Cyrus Saatsaz of the Golden Daze podcast attempted to find a silver lining, though.
“The only positive Warriors news lately (from my perspective) is that Willie Green may come back, potentially as lead assistant. He’s a good coach. I always appreciate smart decisions,” Saatsaz wrote.
The only positive Warriors news lately (from my perspective) is that Willie Green may come back, potentially as lead assistant. He’s a good coach. I always appreciate smart decisions.🫡 https://t.co/TWN9jq7vFC pic.twitter.com/yriPqfsFki
— Cy (@SurfJournalist) May 15, 2026
Another observer clung to the end of Slater’s report, writing, “No more Stotts and Stackhouse but some hope in the last paragraph.” The reaction referenced the Warriors’ plans to “refresh the roster around Steph Curry and reconstruct the coaching staff under Kerr.”
No more Stotts and Stackhouse but some hope in the last paragraph:
“In the next two months, during the NBA’s transaction season, it is anticipated that the Warriors will refresh the roster around Steph Curry and reconstruct the coaching staff under Kerr.” https://t.co/NN46AeHXzb pic.twitter.com/I68EZr77AL
— aly ✶ (@jinthirty) May 15, 2026
Willie Green, who Slater noted is a candidate for the Warriors’ lead assistant role, began his NBA coaching career under Kerr in 2016 before working his way up to head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Green and Kerr are reportedly still close, fueling the possibility of a reunion after Green’s midseason firing. Green’s head coaching experience would help offset the loss of Stotts’ extensive coaching résumé, which features a nine-year stint spearheading the Portland Trail Blazers.
Still, Golden State is facing a major overhaul with the loss of Kerr’s offensive coordinator (Stotts) and defensive coordinator (Stackhouse) as the franchise seeks to build upon its aging, athleticism-needy roster.
